UpWork vs goLance: Choosing The Best Freelancing Platform

kyle-prinsloo by Kyle Prinsloo Last updated Nov 30, 2023

In this article, I compare the most important differences between goLance and UpWork so you can choose the best platform for your freelancing career.

I cover:

High-Level Overview
User Experience
Support Services
Competitive Landscape
Feature Comparison
Pros & Cons of Each Platform
Choosing The Right Platform

Let’s get started!

Comparing UpWork and goLance

🔍 Overview of Upwork

Formerly Elance oDesk, the rebrand that became Upwork began in 2013 and serves millions of active freelancers and over 140 thousand “Core” clients who spend at least$5,000.00 or more per year.

With a large client base, there is a lot of potential for work as a freelancer.

This also means you are competing with millions of other freelancers who are bidding on those same projects.
Jobs can be bid on in the Talent Market Place where clients post projects.

There is also a Project Catalogue which let’s freelancers create a project that showcases their skills, and allows clients to view and request to purchase from the freelancer.

💰 Upwork Fees

Clients pay up to 20% on fees for all payments they make to freelancers; this is important for comparison to goLance as we’ll see later.

Upwork uses credits called Connects, which are used to bid on projects.

Depending on your membership you get a certain amount connects and will need to purchase more to continue to bid on more projects if you run out.

Upwork’s also has a Boost option, which uses connects, to increase the visibility of their proposals on projects by prioritizing them and putting them at the top of the client’s list of freelancers.

🔍 Overview of goLance

Now let’s look at goLance.

goLance was founded in 2014 by Michael Brooks and serves over 700 thousand freelancers.

Their UI is simple and includes goMeter, the integrated time tracking tool and work diary that records project progress.

goLance doesn’t use credits like Upwork does to bid on projects and bidding on projects is free and unlimited for freelancers.

Another interesting feature is Safety Wing - international insurance and goLancehealth.com coverage options for US-based freelancers.

They also offer crypto currencies as a payment option as well.

💰 goLance Fees

Fees are structured with freelancers AND clients in mind.

The biggest benefit to freelancing on goLance is their low fees of 7.95%, which can be reduced even further for the freelancer if the client is willing to take on some or even all of the cost for the project with this shared fee structure.

This leaves the freelancer with 100% of what was charged for the project. More details here.

🎨 User Experience: UpWork vs goLance

UpWork has refined its interface over the years. It has an intuitive formal platform, aiming towards simplicity for the user.

But, it can be challenging to use at times because of over-complicated job submission processes and a cluttered workspace.

goLance keeps it’s platforms interface with user experience at its core.

The minimalistic interface is easy to navigate, with a customizable dashboard that puts everything you need at your fingertips.

🛟 UpWork vs goLance: Support Comparison

UpWork's support comes with the package.

They have a comprehensive Help Centre and for more immediate requests and offer a live chat feature, too.

All goLance users have access to customer support, allowing you to talk to a person much quicker to resolve your issues instead of only relying on support docs and articles or long chat queues.

They're dedicated to ensuring every single client and freelancer reaches their goals and will provide white glove service where required.

You're assigned a dedicated account manager right from the start.

Support guides you through the process to create an effective portfolio and get clients.

A surprising feature is that goLancer offers staff augmentation for those clients that want to leave it to the experts to find and recruit the best staff for their projects.

How Competitive Is It As A Freelancer To Land Projects?

UpWork has millions of freelancers on their platform, so naturally, it’ll be more competitive there.

goLance, on the other hand, is focused on the prevetted talent to ensure that top options are not just from freelancers who are willing to spend the extra money for exposure.

Think more of a networking event rather than a live auction…

The competition is less competitive, promoting collaboration and allowing freelancers to focus on delivering quality work instead of undercutting prices.

So no more race to the bottom just to close the deal…

🥊 Direct Comparison: UpWork vs goLance

Let’s compare the features of UpWork and goLance.

	UpWork	goLance
Fees	10%-20%	7.95%
Client Support	Available but slow	Quick, dedicated, and personalized
Competitiveness	High	Moderate
User Experience	Decent, but can be overwhelming	Simple, intuitive, and user-friendly
Payment Security	Escrow, Upwork Payment Protection	Escrow, goLance Payment Guarantee

Pros and Cons of UpWork

✅ Pros

UpWork is arguably the largest freelancing marketplace out there. In this case. This can mean more job postings and more opportunities for freelancers. This is also advantageous for clients seeking to engage with a wide pool of talent.

Serious about security: UpWork strongly focus on client and freelancer security with their escrow services. Your cash is safe as houses here, and they take compliance seriously—so no sneaky, no-good actions on your watch.

Upwork allows you to create projects for the Project Catalogue, avoiding the bidding process altogether.

❌ Cons

A massive freelance platform, while offering plenty of opportunities, also creates a steep and slippery competitive slope.

High Fees, which not only cut into the margin of the freelancers, but also force clients to be charged just to acquire some talent for their projects.

Pros and Cons of goLance

✅ Pros

Low Fees: At 7.95%, goLance takes a lower cut than most, so as you grow to $100k+, that’s more money in your pocket.

Amazing support: They go above and beyond. goLance builds a tight-knit community where you are valued.

Less competition: More focus on quality and relationships with the help of goLance. Also, being a more boutique platform, less competition means more chances to land great jobs.

Better UX: Their interface is as smooth as a freshly polished bowling ball. No glitches, no nonsense. Just a clean, seamless user experience.

Safety Wing insurance and golanceHealth allow freelancers to get the benefits as if working with a company with the flexibility of being a freelancer.

❌ Cons

Fewer clients: Since it’s a “newer” platform (even though they started in 2015), there aren't as many clients looking to hire talent as there are on UpWork, which it seems they’re working to improve.

Less recognisable branding: UpWork is something of a household name in the freelance world. goLance is still carving out its brand identity but it's making big strides. Think of this less as a 'con' and more as a chance to scope out the platform before it goes mainstream and everyone wants in!

Which Freelancing Platform Is Best?

In the end, both platforms provide opportunities from a vast client base with projects that need freelancers to help complete.

And ultimately, it’s up to you on where to list 🙂

Perhaps try both, and see which one works for you!

But if you’re looking to scale to a good freelancing income every year, then I wouldn’t be keen on UpWork’s fees.

The main thing is that you’re successful, so do what works for you.

Now you know the comparison between UpWork and goLance.

Cheers to your successful freelancing career in 2024 (and beyond) 🙂

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That's it from me. I hope you found this helpful.

Cheers for now.

Kyle